Jogger mown down in attack

A JOGGER underwent emergency surgery after a horrific assault which saw him struck by a car and stamped on by his attackers.

The terrifying incident happened on a section of narrow country road linking High Moor and Delph, at Scouthead on Saturday morning.

The area, on Thurston Clough Road, was cordoned off as police and emergency services joined residents in helping the injured man.

Neighbours rushed from their homes to his aid after hearing agonising cries of distress from the jogger.

They discovered him lying on a small grass lawn next to the roadside with severe injuries to his leg and other parts of his body.

Police say the 49-year-old victim had been out jogging in Brighton Road, Austerlands, about three quarters of a mile away, when he was attacked by two dogs.

He attempted to stop the animals biting him and told the owner to keep them under control. Police said that this provoked a verbal altercation between the owner, who was a woman, and the jogger.

A police statement revealed: “He then continued on his journey when he was struck by a white Toyota car. The occupants assaulted him as he lay injured on the ground.

“The jogger was stamped on while he lay defenceless with a broken leg,” said the statement.

The victim was taken to hospital, where he had emergency surgery for his injuries. Today he is in a stable condition.

Det Sgt John Coleman of Oldham CID who is heading the investigation, said: “I was shocked by the severity of this sustained attack and appeal to anyone who saw this car being driven at speed to come forward as any information could be vital in finding those responsible for this unprovoked attack.”

Witnesses said the incident happened on one side of Thurston Clough Road and continued to a small lawn opposite as the jogger tried to escape his attackers.

It is claimed that after he was struck, the car turned round and returned to the scene where he was further assaulted.

One local involved in the rescue said: “It was a bestial attack.

“The man received terrible injuries and was crying out in pain and shock.”

Another local at the scene said: “The jogger was in a terrible state.

“He had been knocked down but then somehow got to the other side of the road.

“He showed me two dog bite marks on one of his legs and he had sustained further injuries at the scene.

“One of his legs was dreadfully injured. He also had injuries to other parts of his body.”

Later, a GMP spokemann said a man and a woman had been arrested. They were both released on bail until November 16 pending further inquiries.

Anyone with information should call Oldham CID: 0161-859 8951 or Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555111.